In a forward thinking move, the state has appointed Jason S. Schupbach to be the new “Creative Economy Director”. Here’s the article. This is an interesting development. I’ve been working on the steering committee and executive committee of Berkshire Creative, our regional Creative Economy project for the last 2 years or so. I got involved because I felt it was important that the business community see the cultural institutions of our area as keys to the health of the local economy.
Since that time, things have really evolved and mutated in many directions. The website I cobbled together for the project has some of the info, but it’s a fast moving target so we’ll be addressing the web presence to reflect that soon.
For me, the Creative Economy is about recognizing the potential impact of expression brought to business. We’re finding that the real value in the process is in the collaboration: the bringing together of people and ideas on a regular basis to exchange. These conversations have already directly impacted my bottom line over the last 12 months, with new business opportunities and outlets for my creative work.
What’s next? we’re meeting with the new director at the end of the month to find out what the state has in mind and how we’re all going to collaborate. Stay Tuned.